‘The Railway of Time’, Part One, Chapter 3

SCENE #20 – INT – REFRESHMENT ROOM, HUTTLE STATION – DAY – SPRING 1963Back in the refreshment room, Nyssa and Billy are in the midst of a conversation, whilst they’re having a cup of tea.

NYSSA
“Have you been a photographer long?”

BILLY
“Oh not long. I mean, I’ve always wanted to be in the newspaper business. And I always enjoyed taking pictures with a camera. So I became a freelance photographer at a local newspaper company where I come from.”

NYSSA
“You must really enjoy it. Being a photographer.”

BILLY
“Oh I do!” (Pause) “But I always enjoy travelling! Going to different places to see what they’re like.” (Pause) “Do you ever get that feeling Nyssa of wanting to travel to new places that are unfamiliar?”

NYSSA
“Sometimes I do. I’ve been travelling regularly with the Doctor. Seeing many wonders. Joys. And hopes. I feel I’ve been everywhere…and yet there’s still a lot out there that I haven’t seen.”

BILLY(surprised) “You…you’ve been all over the world then?”

NYSSA
“Sort of. I’ve been travelling far and wide you might say!”

Moment of silence.

BILLY
“Mind you…these trains that have been literally disappearing lately. It’s quite a mystery even to me. I find it hard to make sense of it.”

NYSSA
“How much do you know about them, Billy? About these train disappearances?”

BILLY
“Not much. Only what I know in the papers. And on the wireless.”

NYSSA(slightly disappointed) “I see.”

Billy sips his tea.

BILLY
“There have been theories about how the trains are disappearing.” (Pause) “Mind you, there’s one theory I imagine nobody’s ever considered.”

NYSSA(intrigued) “What’s that?”

BILLY(gradually) “It might be aliens!”

NYSSA
“Aliens?”

BILLY
“Well it could be! There’s no point in denying the possibility!”

NYSSA(amused) “What makes you think that aliens might be involved in these trains disappearances?”

BILLY
“Well…think what happened at Roswell?”

NYSSA
“Roswell?”

BILLY
“Yeah. They’re still denying the possibility that aliens might exist. But I…I sometimes hope there are aliens out there…in the stars.”

Moment of silence. There is then a train whistle and chugging from outside. Billy and Nyssa are slightly startled once they hear the train approaching.

NYSSA
“Is that your train?”

BILLY
“Yes. It is. Come on! Let’s have a look!”

Billy takes Nyssa by the hand as they both make their way towards the window to see the train coming.The train chugs along as it makes its way towards the station. It is heard coming closer as it is about to make its stop. A porter is heard shouting announcements whilst the train is arriving.

BILLY
“I always enjoyed riding in the carriages of these steam trains when I was a kid.” (Pause) “I just hope that these trains will last for another ten years.”

They keep on watching the train as it slowly comes to a stop at the platform.

NYSSA
“I wonder why these trains happen to cause a controversy in the timeline. There must be a logical explanation. I can’t see how this could cause the temporal anomaly.”

BILLY
“Sorry Nyssa?”

Nyssa is heard stepping closer to the window to take a closer look at the rail tracks.

BILLY
“Perhaps it’s magic.”

NYSSA
“Sorry?”

BILLY
“Well it could be magic. Somebody might be using special powers to bring the trains off the railway track and make them disappear.”

NYSSA(firmly) “Now Billy! There’s no such thing as magic.”

BILLY(thoughtfully) “No I suppose not. I sometimes wish there was a bit of magic though. It could explain everything.”

NYSSA
“You can’t use superstition to explain everything Billy. Science helps define the facts. Even if it is improbable at times.”

SINCLAIR
“That’s an intriguing statement, young lady?”

Nyssa becomes startled, as a new person has just entered. A woman named Sinclair. Her voice seems to be charming and cheerful which makes her sound warmer, though there’s a slight hint of a mystery about her.

SINCLAIR
“Your friend has quite an intelligent mind, Mr. Walker. Where did you pick her up?”

BILLY
“Oh. Uh Nyssa, this is Miss Sinclair. She’s Mr. Adam’s personal secretary on the village council. Miss Sinclair, this is Nyssa.”

SINCLAIR
“And apparently a reliable secretary according to Mr. Adams, if I say so myself.” (to Nyssa) “How do you do, Nyssa. Have you known Mr. Walker long?”

ADAMS
“But I’m going to sort him out. Don’t you worry! I’m going to set up a campaign by first writing up a petition on behalf of the village council, and I want you, Sinclair, to prepare the outline before I get back. Right?”

SINCLAIR
“Yes Mr. Adams.”

ADAMS
“See you later, Sinclair!”

SINCLAIR
“See you sir.”

Adams then walks off.

ADAMS
“Yes. I’ll sort out that fellow of a station master, Jeffries. I shall definitely show him how to run a railway. If I had a word to put to him I would certainly…”

Adams talks to himself as he walks out of the refreshment room.

SINCLAIR
“Well if you’ll excuse me, I must be off. Nice to have met you Doctor.”

DOCTOR
“Of course.”

Sinclair leaves. Billy then picks up his camera from the table, as he finishes his cup of tea and makes to set off outside.

BILLY
“Yes well, I must be getting along too. I’ve got to get a good seat on the train to catch some good pictures. See you two later.”

Billy makes his way to the door before turning back.

BILLY
“Oh thanks Nyssa! For the chat. I enjoyed it!”

NYSSA
“Thanks Billy. I’ve enjoyed it too.”

Billy makes his way out of the refreshment room as he heads for the train. The Doctor and Nyssa are left in the refreshment room, both heard sitting at a table.

DOCTOR
“Well Nyssa? Discover anything?”

NYSSA
“Not really. It seems that Billy’s in the dark as to what’s going on as we are.” (Pause) “What about you?”

DOCTOR
“I’m not sure. Something’s not right here!”

NYSSA
“What have you discovered?”

DOCTOR
“Mr. Jeffries. There is something odd about him like Billy suggests. Something sinister. Almost inhuman. I can feel it in my two hearts.”

NYSSA
“What do you plan to do?”

DOCTOR
“Well I think the only thing we can do now is the obvious. Catch the train.”

NYSSA
“Really?”

DOCTOR
“Of course. After all, if this train’s likely to disappear as the others then there’s no greater opportunity to find out than actually riding on it.”

NYSSA
“Then I think we should hurry Doctor?”

DOCTOR
“Why?”

NYSSA
“The train’s about to set off!”

This is confirmed as the train is heard whistling and about to depart.

DOCTOR
“You’re right, Nyssa! Come on!”

The Doctor instantly gets up as he bursts straight out of the refreshment room door, followed by Nyssa.

SCENE #21 – EXT – PLATFORM 1, HUTTLE STATION – DAY – SPRING 1963

PORTER(shouts) “Right away!”

Out on the platform, the Doctor runs up to one of the carriages as the train slowly makes to depart from the station. The Doctor is heard grabbing onto the door of the carriage, keeping a firm grip in an attempt to open it.

DOCTOR(calls) “Come on Nyssa! The train’s moving!”

NYSSA
“I’m coming as fast as I can, Doctor!”

The train slowly picks up speed, as the Doctor strains hard on the door in an attempt to open it. Nyssa runs onto the platform as she makes to catch up with the Doctor.

PORTER(shouts) “Oi! No running on the platform! Oi, I said no running!”

As the train moves, the Doctor manages to open the carriage door. He expresses triumph, but he finds himself struggling to get himself into the carriage.

DOCTOR(annoyed) “Oh come on Doctor! You can do this! Get aboard!”

He is then caught on the arm by someone inside the carriage, and is pulled in off the platform and climbs aboard.

SCENE #22 – INT – CARRIAGE, TRAIN EXPRESS – DAY – SPRING 1963The Doctor has been pulled into the carriage by Billy, and almost falls onto him. The Doctor however manages to regain control of his balance standing upright.

BILLY
“There you are Doctor! Are you alright?”

DOCTOR(impatiently) “Never mind about me! We have to get Nyssa in!”

The two of them move towards the outside of the carriage.

SCENE #23 – EXT – PLATFORM 1, HUTTLE STATION – DAY – SPRING 1963Nyssa runs up onto the platform to get onboard the train becoming breathless. The train begins to pick up speed.

DOCTOR(calls) “Nyssa, come on!” (Pause) “Come on Nyssa!”

NYSSA(breathlessly) “Doctor! I can’t go on! I’m not going to make it!”

BILLY(calls) “Yes you are, Nyssa! You can do it!”

DOCTOR(calls) “Yes Nyssa, just run a bit further and we’ll bring you aboard!”

Nyssa keeps on running, almost about to give up. But with determination, she eventually picks up speed as the train does.

DOCTOR(cheers) “That’s it! Now Nyssa! Reach out your hand and Billy and I will pull you in!”

Nyssa is heard reaching her arms up towards the Doctor and Billy as she keeps on running.

DOCTOR
“Come on Nyssa!”

Nyssa keeps running, as she gets even closer. Eventually…

DOCTOR
“Right Billy! Now!”

Billy and the Doctor grab Nyssa’s hand and immediately pull her up into the carriage.

SCENE #24 – INT – CARRIAGE, TRAIN EXPRESS – DAY – SPRING 1963The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy fall on top of each other as they’re all now inside. The train goes faster now as it leaves Huttle Station. Nyssa sighs with exhaustion and relief, and so too do the Doctor and Billy, though both of them laugh out loud with triumph.

DOCTOR(laughs) “I…I think…somebody should close the carriage door!”

BILLY(chuckles) “Yeah! I’ll do that!”

Billy stands up from the floor as he makes his way to the carriage door and shuts it. Billy still huffs and puffs once he’s shut it. The Doctor helps Nyssa to her feet, as they’re heard brushing themselves down.

BILLY
“I’m glad you two decided to come on this journey after all. It’s my pleasure” (Pause) “Well if you two will excuse me, but I’m going to try and find a seat with a good view. Catch you two later.”

Billy leaves and goes down the corridor of the train. The Doctor and Nyssa are both on their own.

DOCTOR
“Well. Here we are!”

NYSSA
“Yes.” (Pause) “What do we do next?”

The two become silent.

SCENE #25 – EXT – ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE – DAY – SPRING 1963Later that day, the train continues its journey to Kelton station as it chugs its way on the railway track through the lovely English countryside. The train makes loud whistles passing through the serene atmosphere of the country. The sequence lasts for around seven seconds.

SCENE #26 – INT – DINING CARRIAGE, TRAIN EXPRESS – DAY – SPRING 1963Inside the dining carriage of the train, the sound of cutlery being moved about on tables and glasses clinking is heard as people are eating and drinking whilst having lunch. Amid this subtle activity, the Doctor and Nyssa are being shown to a table by a waiter.

WAITER
“Here you are, sir. Table for two.”

DOCTOR
“Thank you. Much appreciated.”

The Doctor and Nyssa move to sit at their selected table.

WAITER
“Would you care to see the menu, sir?”

DOCTOR
“Nyssa?”

NYSSA
“I…I don’t mind.”

DOCTOR(to waiter) “Very well then, we will have the menu please.”

WAITER
“Yes sir. Right away.”

The waiter leaves the Doctor and Nyssa at their table as he goes off to fetch the menu. The Doctor is seemingly looking outside the window.

DOCTOR
“Lovely, isn’t it Nyssa!”

NYSSA(happily) “Yes it is lovely. In some ways it reminds me of home. Seeing all those hills with heather on them.”

DOCTOR(gradually) “So? How does your first ride on a train impress you then? Still think it’s a silly way to travel?”

NYSSA
“It’s too early to say. After all, we don’t know where this train is actually heading. It may turn out to be a dangerous trip.”

DOCTOR(slightly annoyed) “Yes. Well hopefully we should be able to sort out the time differential in due course. If only we had some clue as to what caused all these local mysteries of train disappearances to happen, then we’ll be somewhere.”

NYSSA
“Well the people of this time period don’t seem to be interested about time spikes or anomalies. Suppose that’s expected for a pre-technological society.”

DOCTOR
“Now fair play Nyssa. They’re just a little slow to accept anything related to the time continuum or displacement with time. The Earth’s still young at this point.”

NYSSA
“But how will we know when something unnatural will occur?”

DOCTOR
“Well we’ll just have to wait.”

NYSSA
“Wait?”

DOCTOR
“Yes, wait.”

The waiter then comes back with some menus, as he hands them to the Doctor and Nyssa.

DOCTOR
“Ah! Waiter.”

WAITER
“Here are the menus. I’ll come back when you’ve decided to order.”

DOCTOR
“Splendid! Thank you.”

NYSSA
“Yes. Thank you.”

The waiter leaves whilst Nyssa and the Doctor look through the menus they’ve been given.

DOCTOR
“Now let’s see.”

Silence for a moment, before somebody is heard getting up from his seat in the far end of the carriage.

NYSSA
“Anything you fancy on the menu?” (Pause; realises) “Doctor? Doctor, what is it?”

DOCTOR(intrigued) “Well, well, well. Somebody’s just got up from his seat.”

NYSSA
“What? Who’s got up?”

Nyssa looks back from her seat.

DOCTOR
“Mr. Jeffries. The station master.”

Jeffries leaves the dining carriage as he pulls the door open and shuts it behind.

NYSSA
“Where do you suppose he’s going?”

DOCTOR
“I don’t know. But I feel it’s a little suspicious and coincidental him leaving so abruptly when he just refused to stop this train service. Like he’s up to no good.”
The Doctor gets up from his chair.

NYSSA
“Where are you going?”

DOCTOR
“You stay here.”

NYSSA
“But Doctor…”

DOCTOR
“I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’m only going to see what he’s up to!”

The Doctor leaves as he pulls the carriage door at the far end and closes it once he leaves. Nyssa is left alone feeling slightly annoyed.

NYSSA
“I suppose the waiting is over.”

The waiter then comes back as he carries a pad in his hand with a pen in the other.

WAITER(to Nyssa) “Hello, miss. Have you decided yet?”

SCENE #27 – INT – STEAM ENGINE CAB, TRAIN EXPRESS – DAY – SPRING 1963In the cab of the steam engine, train drivers Thomas and Percy are busy stoking up coal into the furnace of the engine. They shout over the chugging of the train.

THOMAS
“How’s the boiler, Percy? Is it hot enough?”

PERCY
“I’ve stoked as much coal as I can, Thomas! I shouldn’t think the train need go any faster! It’s got enough fuel as it is the more I keep stoking!”

THOMAS
“Well I want to get to Kelton station as quickly as possible. I’ve got some sacks to pick up for my wife.”

PERCY
“If we ever get to Kelton. Remember this route has…”

THOMAS
“I know, I know. But Mr. Jeffries said himself we should have nothing to worry about.”

PERCY
“Station masters! You can’t believe what they say!”

THOMAS(sharply) “Now stop being discourteous Percy. We have our job to do and we shall do it! Right?”

PERCY(doubtful) “Right.”

Both stop talking as they stop stoking the furnace and carry on driving the train as it chugs on the track.Seconds later…

THOMAS
“Hang on Percy. Signal’s changing. We’ve got to stop.”

Thomas makes ready to put on the brake, as the train is about to halt at the signal.

PERCY
“Fine time for the signal man to change his levers at his box, hey?”

Thomas doesn’t answer as the train slows down. There is a moment of tense silence between them.

SCENE #28 – INT – LOUNGE CARRIAGE, TRAIN EXPRESS – DAY – SPRING 1963From outside, the train comes to a halt. Meanwhile Mr. Jeffries is heard sliding open a door to a lounge compartment in a lounge carriage as he steps inside, shutting the door behind him. He goes to sit down at a seat, as he then clicks open a suitcase. The train is heard screeching to a halt whilst he is looking through his suitcase.

JEFFRIES(calmly; coldly) “Where is it?”

He keeps on searching through the things in his suitcase for a little while. Then…

JEFFRIES(triumphant) “Ah!”

Jeffries then takes out from the case some sort of device which he holds in his hands.

JEFFRIES
“Adjusting the frequency…”

He does so with the device he’s carrying, as it then makes a whirring sound which increases in pitch and volume. He then clicks a button and raises the device up to his mouth as he is about to speak.

JEFFRIES(slowly) “Hello? Hello? Are you there?”

Whilst Jeffries is seemingly trying to communicate with someone, from outside the compartment the Doctor is heard standing beside the door.

DOCTOR(whispers) “So there you are Mr. Jeffries. I wonder what you’re up to.”

He watches and listens carefully to what Jeffries is doing, making sure he isn’t seen. A few impatient train whistles are heard from outside.

SCENE #29 – INT – DINING CARRIAGE, TRAIN EXPRESS – DAY – SPRING 1963Back in the dining carriage, we hear a camera click as Billy is taking a photo of a couple sitting at a table eating their dinner. Billy lowers the camera, making sure he has the picture.

BILLY(to couple) “Yes I’ve got the picture. Thanks so much.”

The couple seemingly thank Billy as he leaves walking down the carriage putting his camera away.

BILLY(calls to waiter) “Excuse me?”

WAITER
“Yes sir?”

BILLY
“Is there a table I can sit at, please?”

WAITER
“Yes, sir. Follow me.”

BILLY
“Thanks.”

Billy follows the waiter down the carriage to find a spare table. The train is heard starting to move again as it is heard shaking on the rails. Everybody staggers once the train moves.

WAITER
“Ah. We’re on the move again, sir.”

BILLY
“Yes.”

Billy continues following the waiter as the train’s on the move. A while later, Billy stops following the waiter as he seems to be realising something.

BILLY(to himself) “Wait a minute…”

He turns round to find somebody at a table on her own and recognises her instantly.

BILLY(enthused) “Hello there!”

NYSSA
“Oh. Hello Billy!”

BILLY
“Where’s your friend, the Doctor?”

NYSSA
“He’s…gone to see somebody.”

BILLY
“Ah.” (Pause) “Mind if I join you?”

NYSSA(thinks) “No not at all. Please do.”

BILLY
“Thanks.”

Billy then sits down opposite Nyssa at the table, as there is now a sweet atmosphere between the two of them. Moment of silence.

BILLY
“Anything in the menu you’d recommend?”

SCENE #30 – INT – LOUNGE CARRIAGE, TRAIN EXPRESS – DAY – SPRING 1963Back in the lounge compartment, Jeffries is continuing his strange communication with the people he’s talking to through his strange device.

JEFFRIES
“Yes. Yes I understand.” (Pause) “I see where your plan is heading.” (Pause) “But how does this involve me now? I feel…left redundant.”

Just then, the compartment door slides open as the Doctor enters. Jeffries rises as he sees the Doctor before him.

JEFFRIES
“What in the name of…”

DOCTOR(cheerfully) “Hello Mr. Jeffries? Pardon me for barging in like this? I say, that is a strange gadget you’re holding!”

JEFFRIES
“Just what do you think you’re doing here?”

DOCTOR
“Looks like a toy doll. If it is, it certainly is an unusually model. With odd colours. In fact no colours. Just jet black. And no arms and no legs. And completely headless. Aren’t you a bit old to be playing with toys, Mr. Jeffries?”

JEFFRIES
“Get out of here!”

DOCTOR(seriously) “I certainly hope that thing isn’t it a gun because I really hate guns. Or anything that maybe considered dangerous. That piece of technology you’re holding Mr. Jeffries isn’t of this century. Looks very advanced. Humans of the 20th century aren’t supposed to have anything as too advanced as that. And an item that you’re holding like that fits a description belong to…2520 or something not of this civilisation.”

SCENE #31 – INT – STEAM ENGINE CAB, TRAIN EXPRESS – DAY – SPRING 1963In the cab of the steam engine, Thomas and Percy carry on maintaining the train’s journey towards the tunnel. The chugging of the train becomes louder as it departs from scenic surroundings and is about to enter the tunnel.

THOMAS
“We’re about to enter the tunnel. Keep focused as we go through.”

A whirring sound is heard coming from both Percy and Thomas’s so-called ‘watches’ given to them by Jeffries. Both men become startled as the diamonds on their watches are seemingly lighting.

PERCY
“Hey! Tom! These diamonds on these watches! They’re glowing!”

THOMAS
“You’re right, Percy! They are!”

PERCY
“And why are they making that flippin’ noise?”

THOMAS
“Look! We’re entering the tunnel now!”

SCENE #32 – EXT – ENTRANCE TO TUNNEL, ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE – DAY – SPRING 1963From outside the train chugs along as it makes its way through the tunnel. The carriages trudge along the track as the steam engine drags them into the tunnel. There is quietness once the train’s vanished.

SCENE #33 – EXT – TUNNEL – DAY – SPRING 1963Inside the tunnel, the train chugs on the railway track as it echoes with a gloomy haunting sound. The train is almost halfway through the tunnel.

SCENE #34 – INT – STEAM ENGINE CAB, TRAIN EXPRESS – DAY – SPRING 1963Back inside the cab of the steam engine, the watches on Thomas and Percy are heard still whirring as the diamond keeps on glowing whilst they helm the train. Suddenly Percy writhes in pain as he seemingly holds his hand.

PERCY(cries) “These cursed watches! What is that station master think he’s doing to us?!”

The two train drivers continue writhing in pain as they suffer from this attack. Suddenly, the train jerks with the train drivers fumbling into each other. As the train jerks, the sound of a wave crashing onto a beach in slow motion is heard again like before earlier in the story.

SCENE #35 – INT – LOUNGE CARRIAGE, TRAIN EXPRESS – N/AWith the train jerking, the Doctor and Jeffries in the lounge compartment are startled as they fall over. The Doctor seemingly falls back away from Jeffries as he hits his head on the sliding door of the compartment. He reacts with pain after hitting his head.

DOCTOR
“Ooh! My head!” (at door) “What a place to put a door!”

Jeffries meanwhile has fallen onto the seats of the lounge compartment. But he is still in contact with these creatures he is communicating with. This is evident as he is heard making a gasping sound of shock, as he then holds the device to his mouth and speaks.

JEFFRIES(quietly; shocked) “What? What is the meaning of this?” (Pause; raises his voice) “No! No! You can’t do this to me! I’ve been working for you…we had an agreement! You can’t just…”

The Doctor rises up from the floor as he again confronts Jeffries in the compartment.

DOCTOR
“Sounds like those friends of yours are becoming unfriendly, Mr. Jeffries! Aren’t they offering you great wealth now?”

Jeffries is then heard writhing in pain which grows louder in a scream of desperation. He is heard dropping onto the floor, as a screeching sort of sound is heard coming from the device which he has been using.

JEFFRIES(cries) “No! NO! You promised! YOU PROMISED!”

The Doctor steps forward to Jeffries, as he now shows concern.

DOCTOR
“Jeffries? Jeffries what have you done to yourself?”

Jeffries continues writhing in pain before another jerk occurs on the train. The jerk now happens to be rougher than the first one. The Doctor falls back again whilst the train jerks and Jeffries continues writhing.

SCENE #36 – INT – DINING CARRIAGE, TRAIN EXPRESS – DAY – AUTUMN 2063In the dining carriage when the second train jerk occurs, everybody finds themselves to be startled and shaken up as well. We hear cutlery and plates falling to the floor as people fall across dining tables. Waiters are heard tripping over, dropping trays and menus and waitresses falling onto the buffet trolley as they walk down the aisle.

The experience of the train jerking affects Nyssa, Billy and Mr. Adams as well. Nyssa gets back up to the table whilst Billy too regains his seating position when the jerk’s occurred.

NYSSA(startled) “What’s happening? Why’s the train jerking?”

BILLY
“Are you alright Nyssa?”

NYSSA
“I’m fine. What about you?”

BILLY
“I’m okay, thanks.”

NYSSA
“I wonder whether those jerks were natural. They might be time-disturbance related incidents! Does this usually happen, Billy?”

BILLY
“I don’t know. But I know that second jerk was much worse than the first one. It got me sprawling across this table!”

NYSSA
“And it got me falling out from my seat!”

BILLY
“We should have crashed if we had a jerk like this. But listen, the train’s still going!”

They listen as the train continues chugging along.

NYSSA
“You’re right, Billy! It is still going!”

BILLY(gradually; calls) “Mr. Adams! Are you alright?”

Adams gets up off the floor as he seems to have suddenly crashed into somebody else’s dining table on the other side of the carriage.

The family at the table that Adams crashed into groan and mumble to each other in annoyance and frustration. Adams then goes over to Billy and Nyssa at their table.

ADAMS
“I knew something bad would go on here! But would Mr. Jeffries listen to me…no!!”

NYSSA(concerned) “The Doctor! I’ve got to find the Doctor!”

Nyssa gets up from her table as she heads out of the dining carriage.

BILLY
“Wait up Nyssa!”

Billy follows after Nyssa. Mr. Adams is left standing around.

ADAMS
“Good thing the wife isn’t here. She’d be shaken stiff!”

SCENE #37 – EXT – EXIT TO TUNNEL, ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE – DAY – AUTUMN 2063Meanwhile the train charges out of the tunnel, chugging onto the rail-line into the countryside. It takes thirty seconds for the whole express to exit from the tunnel. Once the train rides on in the open air, there is a sense of a changed atmosphere.

SCENE #38 – INT – LOUNGE CARRIAGE, TRAIN EXPRESS – DAY – AUTUMN, 2063Back on the train, Nyssa eventually finds the Doctor lying about on the floor of the lounge compartment. She kneels down beside him as she tries to wake him.

NYSSA
“Doctor! Doctor, are you alright?”

The Doctor eventually rouses himself from the floor as he looks at Nyssa who helps him up.

DOCTOR(relieved) “Nyssa.”

NYSSA
“Here Doctor. Let me help you up.”

The Doctor is pulled to his feet as Nyssa helps him. He eventually manages to stand upright.

The Doctor seemingly looks over Jeffries’ body to see if there’s any sign of life in him. Moment of silence.

NYSSA
“Is he dead, Doctor?”

DOCTOR(grimly) “Yes.”

BILLY
“Are you sure?”

DOCTOR
“Quite sure, Billy. I’ve checked his pulse. There’s nothing.”

NYSSA
“How awful!”

BILLY(gradually) “How did he die like that?”

NYSSA
“It seems coincidental that Mr. Jeffries died when the jerks happened.”

DOCTOR(thoughtful, to himself) “This is all very puzzling! Very puzzling indeed!”

NYSSA(curious) “Doctor?”

DOCTOR(to himself) “The way he died. Why was he got rid of so easily?”

BILLY
“What are you talking about, Doctor?”

The Doctor is silent for a moment.

NYSSA
“Doctor?”

DOCTOR(snaps out of it) “Sorry. Yes. Explanations. Um…Mr. Jeffries was communicating with some unknown person or persons. People that he seemed to be in alliance with.”

NYSSA
“So Mr. Jeffries isn’t responsible for those jerks then?”

DOCTOR
“No. I suppose those jerks were part of something massive beyond Mr. Jeffries’ capabilities.”

NYSSA
“Well it’s a mystery as to why the train is still going while the jerks occurred. Did the jerks kill Mr. Jeffries?”

DOCTOR
“No I think the people he communicated with killed him.”

BILLY
“But how could Mr. Jeffries communicate with anyone? There aren’t any phones on the train!”

DOCTOR
“Not a phone, Billy no.”

NYSSA
“Were there people on this train he was talking to, Doctor?”

DOCTOR
“No. But…he was using this.”

The Doctor shows the device that Jeffries had.

NYSSA
“He was using that!”

DOCTOR
“Yes. Nifty isn’t it.”

NYSSA
“Hardly the technology for a train station master to use, Doctor!”

DOCTOR
“It’s hardly the technology for a human from 1963 to use, Nyssa.”

BILLY(surprised) “Hey I’ve never seen anything like that before!”

NYSSA
“May I look at it Doctor.”

DOCTOR
“Oh yes! Of course, Nyssa.”

The Doctor hands the device over to Nyssa who takes it from him and has a look at it.

BILLY
“But why would they want kill Mr. Jeffries. I don’t understand. And who was Mr. Jeffries talking to and what did they want from him?”

DOCTOR
“Very good questions, Billy. I wish I had the answers to them!”

Nyssa interrupts as she becomes intrigued by this device.

NYSSA
“Doctor? This device seems to be an interocitor of some kind.”

DOCTOR
“Yes Nyssa. That’s exactly what it is!”

BILLY
“And what is a…um….inter-fer-rossitor?”

NYSSA
“It’s a device for communicating through the time tracks? But why would Mr. Jeffries want to use something like that?”

DOCTOR
“And how did he get it?”

Just then, the train is heard slowly coming to a stop. When it does stop, everything is silent.

NYSSA
“The train’s stopped!”

BILLY
“We’ve arrived at Kelton station.”

DOCTOR
“I wonder why I’m feeling uneasy about that.”

Just then Adams enters, and he sounds rather petrified and shocked as he’s just entered rather unannounced.

ADAMS(cries) “Hey, you three! The train’s stopped! But come and have a look outside!”

BILLY
“Why? What is it, Mr. Adams?”

ADAMS
“Come and see for yourself, boy! Come on! Come on!”

Adams heads out, whilst Billy, Nyssa and the Doctor follow on after him to see what’s going on outside.

SCENE #39 – PLATFORM 3, KELTON STATION – DAY – AUTUMN 2063The Doctor, Nyssa and Billy step out of the train into the open air and are standing where there should be Platform 3 of Kelton station. There is a cool dull empty breeze making the place all lonely and forgotten.

ADAMS
“See what I mean! Look! Look around you. Kelton station wrecked to bits. Not much left of it. Just the platform, closed up doors and ivy on the walls. Like the place hasn’t been tended to for years. What’s happened to it?”

DOCTOR
“What indeed?”

BILLY
“This can’t be Kelton station, surely.”

ADAMS
“Of course it can’t be Kelton station, boy. You can see for yourself it’s not a proper railway station. I know Kelton station when I see it. And this is not it.”

NYSSA
“Doctor? What do you think has happened here? Is this really Kelton station?”

DOCTOR
“Oh yes Nyssa. I’m afraid it is.”

ADAMS
“Nonsense man.”

DOCTOR
“Believe me Mr. Adams! You’re standing on what happens to be the remains of an old Kelton station long forgotten and worn away with weeds.”

ADAMS(gradually) “But…but, but…but this can’t be right!”

DOCTOR
“Oh it is, Mr Adams. Believe me, it is! Like it or not…this is our destination.”

BILLY
“Kelton station? But it’s all abandoned!”

DOCTOR
“Yes. Certainly a state of decay.”

Everyone becomes silent, as they try to comprehend as to what the meaning of this scenario actually is.

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2 thoughts on “‘The Railway of Time’, Part One, Chapter 3”

Couldn’t resist reading another chapter, i can easily visualise this story in my mind Tim, i really want Big Finish to adapt this it is hands down one of the best Fifth Doctor stories I’ve read, the dialogue is so well written & really defines the personality of the characters.

I would like someone from Big Finish to read my story and see what they make of it. Glad you approve of what I’m writing in this story at the moment. Glad you like the characters and the dialogue at the moment.